§ MR. THORNTON (Clapham)I beg to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty when the sixteen new torpedo destroyers promised in this year's Naval Programme will be completed; and how many destroyers of eleven years of age will be possessed by Germany and Great Britain, respectively, at the date of these British vessels being commissioned.
§ MR. McKENNAUnder normal conditions the sixteen new destroyers will be completed about July, 1910. I am unaware what importance the hon. Member attaches to the period of eleven years, but the Board of Admiralty know of no circumstances which would make this an appropriate period for purposes of comparison, and we consider it inexpedient to submit any figures which would imply an official endorsement of such an age period.
§ MR. ARTHUR LEEIs not the depreciation put in the official Estimates at five per cent. for eleven years?
§ MR. McKENNANo, Sir. The figures he refers to are in reference to torpedo boats. The destroyers are not included under that head. They come under the gunboats heading.